$29.4 Million Verdict Against Hotel Operator Whose Housekeeper Repeatedly Assaulted a 13-Year-Old Guest

In November 2021, a 13-year-old girl was staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott in McDonough, Georgia, with her family. The hotel was managed and operated by PeachState Hospitality, LLC. Within weeks of checking in, she was repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped by Eareon Williams, a 26-year-old housekeeper employed at the property. Williams had obtained a master key, giving him access to occupied guest rooms.

PeachState had hired Williams two months earlier, in September 2021, without running a background check of any kind. No references were checked. No criminal history was requested. No online search was done. A basic check would have turned up a record that included felony theft convictions, a pimping charge, battery-family violence, and a prior statutory rape charge in which Williams had admitted to sexual contact with a juvenile. The hotel also failed to track who held master keys or to monitor how housekeeping staff accessed rooms.

The family retained Butler Kahn. Trial attorney Jeb Butler, joined by Brittany Partridge and Melody Walker, built the case around the theory of negligent hiring, retention, and supervision. The argument was straightforward: PeachState had every opportunity to discover Williams's history before placing him in guest rooms with a passkey, and it chose to skip the step entirely. The jury also heard evidence that PeachState acted in bad faith during litigation and caused the family unnecessary expense, supporting an award of litigation costs.

On July 16, 2024, the Henry County jury returned a verdict of $29,400,000, broken down as $21 million in compensatory damages and $8.4 million in litigation expenses. The jury assigned 100 percent of the fault to PeachState. Before trial, the hotel's highest offer was $2 million, roughly one-fifteenth of what the jury ultimately awarded.

Case caption: Hillary Cranford, as Conservator to A.B., a Minor v. PeachState Hospitality, LLC, Case No. 502022CA005480, Henry County State Court.